However, a substantial minority (31%) of Indians consider the United States to pose a threat to India, of which 9% consider it to be a major threat.

These are results of the India Poll Project, an initiative by the Lowy Institute for International Policy and the Australia India Institute. The national opinion survey was conducted among 1233 Indian adults between 30 August and 15 October 2012.

The India Poll gave major importance to finding out how India feels about other countries.

A whooping 94% of Indians consider Pakistan as a major threat, the main reason being terrorism. Possession of nuclear weapons is another reason for this result.

Furthermore, '89% of Indians agree that ordinary people in both countries want peace, 87% agree that a big improvement in India-Pakistan relations requires courageous leadership on both sides, and 76% agree that India should take the initiative'.

'A large majority (83%) considers China a security threat.'

The poll suggests although China has become India’s largest trading partner, only 31% of Indians believe that China’s rise has been good for India.

According to the polls, the reasons for this mistrust are — possession of nuclear weapons, competition for resources, the China-India border dispute and China’s efforts to strengthen its relations with other countries in the Indian Ocean region.

Apart from judging India's take on other countries, the poll aimed at determining what Indians thought of the existing form of government, corruption, etc.

'Most Indians value democracy'

An overwhelming 70% of Indians consider democracy to be the most favoured form of government.

However, 21% of those surveyed say that in some circumstances a non-democratic government is preferable.

Right to free expression, right to vote, right to a fair trial are few of the most important rights, as believed by Indians.

'Indians are hopeful but divided about whether the fruits of rapid growth are being justly distributed.'

According to the survey conducted, 74% of Indians are optimistic about economic prospects. However, fair distribution of resources is still an issue of concern.

56% of Indians see themselves as economically better off than five years ago, about 18% feel worse off and 27% think that their situation has not changed.

'Shortage of energy, water and food, along with wider environmental issues like climate change, register as the most important challenges.'

The India Poll also aimed at examining the issues that Indians considered as threats. Respondents were also asked about the magnitude of threat a particular issue carried.

80-85% of Indians identified shortages of energy, water and food, issues of climate change as big threats, and 97-98% in total identifying them as threats.

Other threats included war with Pakistan, homegrown terrorism within India, and Maoist or Naxalite insurgency.

Most Indians recognized China and Pakistan to be the only two countries that posed a threat to national security.

'The poll confirms intense feelings about corruption.'

As expected, a majority of the Indians, 94% of those polled, consider there to be a lot of corruption in their country, and 92% think it has increased in the past five years.

A surprising conclusion says that most Indians, around 80%, think anti-corruption campaigners have made India a better place.

The poll results provided an accurate understanding of India's attitude towards integral issues.

About the poll:

All the interviews for the poll were conducted face-to-face at respondents' homes. The questionnaire was made in English, and translated into Hindi, Bengali, Gujarati, Oriya, Tamil, Marathi and Kannada.

Key issues covered in the poll are - Indian perceptions of India's economic future, India's role in the world, domestic policy priorities, the challenge of corruption, and relations with other countries including China, the United States and Pakistan.

The India Poll claims to be 'one of the most comprehensive surveys ever conducted on the attitudes of Indian citizens towards their future in the world'.